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Former United States President Barack Obama has accused President Donald Trump’s administration of using federal power to intimidate Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar over her criticism of the president.
In a statement posted on his X account on Sunday, Obama condemned the investigation into Omar’s immigration history, describing it as an alarming departure from democratic principles.
He argued that the government should not selectively target individuals because of their political beliefs or public statements.
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Omar, who represents Minnesota in the US House of Representatives, was born in Somalia and arrived in the United States with her family at the age of 12. She became a naturalised US citizen in 2000 and was elected to Congress in 2018.
Obama praised Omar’s record in public service, from her early work as a community organiser to her role as a legislator and outspoken critic of the Trump administration.
He questioned the basis of the investigation, which concerns possible irregularities in immigration paperwork dating back to Omar’s childhood. The scrutiny includes claims about her age when her father became a naturalised US citizen, allegations that have not been established as fact.
Federal agents searched Omar’s Washington, DC, residence on October 12 as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Authorities also seized her phone, according to reports, while the full scope of the investigation remains unclear. The Justice Department said the search was conducted under a court-authorised warrant.
Obama questioned the decision to deploy federal investigative powers against an elected official who has repeatedly criticised the president.
He also cited previous investigations and prosecutions involving individuals viewed as political opponents of Trump, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey, arguing that such cases raised concerns about the independence of law enforcement.
Obama warned that the investigation could impose substantial financial and personal costs on Omar, including legal expenses and time diverted from her responsibilities to constituents.
He added that allowing government institutions to be used to intimidate political critics could have consequences beyond Omar’s case.
“The fact that any president, or any administration, is willing to engage in such transparent efforts to intimidate someone should outrage all Americans, regardless of how they feel about Congresswoman Omar’s political views,” Obama said.
He cautioned that normalising such practices could expose other Americans to similar treatment under future administrations, regardless of which political party holds power.
Omar has denied wrongdoing and described the search of her home as an attempt to intimidate her. The Justice Department has maintained that the search formed part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.
The investigation has drawn criticism from Democrats, who have questioned its timing ahead of the November midterm elections.
As of Sunday, authorities had not publicly established that Omar committed immigration fraud.
